Method of playing a modified poker based wagering game with side wager

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments are directed to a method of playing a wagering game including, among other things, the steps of: providing a community group of playing cards of unknown value and conducting one or more game events so long as there is at least one playing card of unknown value remaining among the community group of playing cards, wherein each game event comprises revealing the value of at least one playing card in the community group to the participating player and receiving a game event wager from the participating player thereafter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS FROM WHICH PRIORITY IS CLAIMED

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/097,196, filed Sep. 15, 2008, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to wagering games, and more particularly,table games typically found in gaming establishments, such as thoseinvolving a playing surface, playing positions for multiple players,playing cards, and a dealer, or virtual representations thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART

Gaming establishments or casinos continually require new games to offertheir players. Casino games are generally configured to enable eachplayer to play against a dealer provided by the casino or banker, ratherthan against other players.

Players are typically attracted to games that provide relatively decentodds of winning, as compared with other casino games, and can be playedrapidly. However, many such games never become popular. It has beenfound that the games which have been successful also offer game playfeatures that further serve to heighten player interest in such games.Naturally, casino operators seek to provide the most popular games fortheir gaming patrons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a game that includes aplurality of wagering options and provide player with partial handinformation upon which players may make further game play decisions.

In particular, some embodiments are directed to a method of playing awagering game comprising the steps of: receiving an ante wager from aparticipating player; delivering a partial hand of playing cards to theparticipating player; providing a community group of playing cards ofunknown value; conducting one or more game events so long as there is atleast one playing card of unknown value remaining among the communitygroup of playing cards, wherein each game event comprises revealing thevalue of at least one playing card in the community group to theparticipating player and receiving a game event wager from theparticipating player thereafter; revealing the value of the at least oneremaining unknown playing card among the community group; determining afinal hand rank for the participating player, wherein the final handrank is based on the cards in the participating player's partial handand the community group of playing cards; comparing the final hand rankwith a preset criteria, wherein the preset criteria sets forthguidelines for award payouts based on final hand ranks; and paying agame award payout to the player if one of the preset criteria aresatisfied, wherein the game award payout is at least partially based onthe total amount wagered, and wherein the total amount wagered is theante wager plus the sum of all the game event wagers received during theone or more game events.

In some embodiments, a preset amount of game events are conducted. Inother embodiments, each game event comprises revealing the value of arandom amount of playing cards in the community group to theparticipating player and receiving a wager from the participating playerthereafter.

In some embodiments, the combined amount of cards revealed during thegame events, cards in the partial hand and cards remaining unknown, isat least one card greater than necessary to determine the rank of thefinal hand. In other embodiments, the amount of cards revealed duringthe game events and the amount of cards in the partial hand are at leastone card less than necessary to determine the rank of the final hand.

In some embodiments, the ante wager and at least one game event wagerare mandatory wagers.

In some embodiments, the preset criteria and corresponding game awardscomprise a paytable listing achievable hand ranks and correspondingnumerical multiplier of the total amount wagered. In some embodiments,the ranking is based on five card poker ranks.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further comprises asecondary game including the steps of: receiving a secondary game wagerprior to delivering the partial game hand to the participating player;determining a partial hand rank for the participating player, whereinthe partial hand rank is based on the cards in the participatingplayer's partial hand; comparing the partial hand rank with a secondarygame preset criteria, wherein the secondary game preset criteria setsforth guidelines for award payouts based on partial hand ranks; andpaying a secondary game award payout to the participating player if oneof the secondary game preset criteria are satisfied, wherein thesecondary game award payout is at least partially based on the secondarygame wager amount.

The invention is also directed to a system for providing a wagering gameas described herein. In some embodiments, the system includes an inputdevice configured for receiving an ante wager from a participatingplayer; a processor configured for providing the participating playerwith a partial hand of playing cards, providing a community group ofplaying cards of unknown value, conducting one or more game events solong as there is at least one playing card of unknown value remaining inthe community group of playing cards, wherein each game event comprisesrevealing the value of at least one playing card in the community groupto the participating player and receiving a game event wager from theparticipating player thereafter, revealing the at least one remainingplaying card of unknown value among the community group of playingcards, determining a final hand rank for the participating player,wherein the final hand rank is based on the cards in the participatingplayer's partial hand and the community group of playing cards, andcomparing the final hand rank with a preset criteria, wherein the presetcriteria sets forth guidelines for award payouts based on final handranks. The system may further include a display device configured fordisplaying the partial hand of playing cards to the participating playerand revealing the value of the community group of cards during the game,and an output device for paying a game award payout to the player if oneof the preset criteria are satisfied, wherein the game award payout isat least partially based on the total amount wagered, and wherein thetotal amount wagered is the ante wager plus the sum of all the gameevent wagers received during the one or more game events.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, a preset amount ofgame events are conducted by the processor. In some embodiments, thereis a first display device for displaying the player's partial hands anda second display device for revealing the community cards.

In some embodiments, the combined amount of cards revealed during thegame events via the display device, cards in the partial hand and cardsremaining unknown is at least one card greater than necessary todetermine the rank of the final hand. In some embodiments, the amount ofcards revealed during the game events on the display device and theamount of cards in the partial hand are at least one card less thannecessary to determine the rank of the final hand.

In some embodiments, the ante wager and at least one game event wagerare mandatory wagers.

In an alternative embodiment, the input device is further configured forreceiving a secondary game wager prior to delivering the partial gamehand to the participating player, and the processor is furtherconfigured for determining a partial hand rank for the participatingplayer, wherein the partial hand rank is based on the cards in theparticipating player's partial hand, comparing the partial hand rankwith a secondary game preset criteria, wherein the secondary game presetcriteria sets forth guidelines for award payouts based on partial handranks, and paying a secondary game award payout to the participatingplayer if one of the secondary game preset criteria are satisfied,wherein the secondary game award payout is at least partially based onthe secondary game wager amount.

The invention is further directed to a method of playing a wagering gamecomprising the steps of: receiving an ante wager from a participatingplayer; dealing a partial hand of playing cards to the participatingplayer; providing a community group of playing cards of unknown value;conducting one or more game events until there are at least four cardsof known value to the participating player including the player'spartial hand, wherein each game event comprises revealing the value ofat least one playing card in the community group to the participatingplayer and receiving a game event wager from the participating playerthereafter; revealing the value of the remaining unknown playing cardsamong the community group; determining a final hand rank for theparticipating player, wherein the final hand rank is based on the cardsin the participating player's partial hand and the community group ofplaying cards; comparing the final hand rank with a preset criteria,wherein the preset criteria sets forth guidelines for award payoutsbased on final hand ranks; and paying a game award payout to the playerif one of the preset criteria are satisfied, wherein the game awardpayout is at least partially based on the total amount wagered, andwherein the total amount wagered is the ante wager plus the sum of allthe game event wagers received during the one or more game events.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned method, the partial handcomprises two cards. In some embodiments, the community group of cardscomprises four cards.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further comprises thesteps of: receiving a secondary game wager prior to delivering thepartial game hand to the participating player; determining a partialhand rank for the participating player, wherein the partial hand rank isbased on the cards in the participating player's partial hand; comparingthe partial hand rank with a secondary game preset criteria, wherein thesecondary game preset criteria sets forth guidelines for award payoutsbased on partial hand ranks; and paying a secondary game award payout tothe participating player if one of the secondary game preset criteriaare satisfied, wherein the secondary game award payout is at leastpartially based on the secondary game wager amount.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned method, the ante wager and atleast one game event wager are mandatory wagers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary game layout for use in conjunction withsome embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a system and method ofplaying a modified poker based wagering game which offers playersmultiple wagering options and staggered partial hand information uponwhich to make further game decisions.

In some embodiments, the game begins by receiving an ante wager fromeach participating player. Each participating player is then dealt apartial hand, wherein the partial hand includes only a portion of thecards necessary to form a final hand upon which a final outcome in thegame will be determined. Once all participating players receive theirrespective partial hands, a group of community cards are dealt. Thecommunity cards will ultimately be used by each participating player, incombination with their respective partial hand, to form a final handupon which the final game outcome will be based.

In some embodiments, at least one of the community cards is revealed toall the players at a first game event, and players may place a secondwager in addition to their ante bet. Players are therefore provided withadditional partial hand information upon which to make a game decisionat this game event, wherein the cumulative partial hand information nowconsists of each player's respective partial hand and at least one ofthe community cards. In some embodiments, players must place this secondwager or fold (i.e., forfeit the game and ante wager) during this gameevent.

After players either place an additional wager or fold, assuming thereare participating players remaining in the game, at least one other ofthe community cards will be revealed and players may place a third wagerin addition to the ante and second wagers. Thus, players are providedwith further hand information upon which to make another game decisionat another game event, wherein the cumulative partial hand informationnow consists of each player's respective partial hand and at least twoof the community cards. In some embodiments, players may place the thirdwager or check, that is, players may choose not to place a wager yetremain in the game as participating players without folding.

In some embodiments, the above steps continue until there is only oneremaining community card in the group which is unknown, thussequentially presenting each remaining player with additional gameevents based on ever-increasing partial hand information until the finalcard is revealed and the complete hand is made known. In someembodiments, game events occur in random amounts that may be presetprior to each game. In other embodiments, the number of game events ispreset and remains constant. In yet other embodiments, the number ofgame events is selected to maintain a set ratio of community cardsrevealed to community cards remaining unknown, such as equal amountsrevealed to unknown.

In some embodiments, each particular community card revealed from thegroup of community cards is randomly selected. In some embodiments, theamount of community cards selected to be revealed at each game event israndomly selected, preset or remains the same at each event.

Once all players have reached the final game event and made a final gamedecision accordingly, the remaining community card(s) are revealed andeach player will use their respective partial hands and the communitycard(s) to form a respective final hand. The value of the final hand isthe highest ranking poker hand which is possible from the population ofcards in the player's partial hand and available community cards. Insome embodiments, each remaining player is paid an award based on theamount wagered and rank of their final hand.

In some embodiments, each player is dealt two cards to form a partialhand and four community cards are dealt. In this embodiment, a ratio oftwo revealed cards to two unknown community cards is preset. Thus, afirst game event consists of revealing a community card upon whichplayers must make a first game decision as described above, that is,place a wager or fold. A second community card is revealed at a secondgame event and players must again make a game decision. In thisembodiment, players may optionally place a wager at the second gameevent. Thus, in this embodiment, a total of three wagers may be placedby players remaining in the game, that is, an ante, a first wager uponrevealing the first community card, and a second wager upon revealingthe second community card. Upon either placing the third wager orchecking, the remaining two community cards are revealed and playersform a final hand based on the highest ranking five card poker handachievable from the six cards consisting of each of their respective twocard hands along with the four community cards.

In this embodiment, each player's final hand is compared to a paytablewherein the payout amounts are expressed as an odds payout or as amultiple of the total amount wagered. In some embodiments, the totalamount wagered consists of the sum of the ante bet, second wager andthird wager, if any. Players may only be allowed to place second andthird wagers which are equal to the original ante wager.

Some embodiments of the game may further include side wagers toparticipate in a secondary game in which an award is paid only if one ormore secondary game preset criteria are satisfied. For example, playersmay place a side wager which is paid based on the value of cards in theplayer's partial hand achieving a preset rank.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a game layout which may beused to facilitate participation in some embodiments of the gamedescribed herein, generally designated by the reference numeral 10.Layout 10 may be constructed of any suitable materials or presentedelectronically on a display device. In this embodiment, layout 10includes a plurality of player positions 12 disposed in a generallysemi-circular relationship about a community card area 14. Each playerposition 12 includes an area for partial hand information 16, an areafor placing the ante bet 18 (represented by a circle with “ante” indiciatherein), an area for placing the second wager 20 (represented by acircle with “bet or fold” indicia therein), an area for placing thethird wager 22 (represented by a circle with “raise” indicia therein)and an area for placing a side wager 24 (represented by a circle with“pair bet bonus” indicia therein) to play a secondary game.

In this embodiment, players place an ante wager in ante area 18 toparticipate in the game. The secondary game may be played when theplayer places a wager in the side wager area 24 along with the antewager and prior to the dealing of the partial hand.

Cards are delivered or dealt to partial hand area 16 associated with theplayer position 12 for each participating player to form the player'spartial hand. Community cards are delivered or dealt to community cardarea 14. The player's partial hand may then be compared with the presetcriteria to determine if an award has been achieved. An exemplarypaytable for the side wager is shown below in Table 1 and illustrated inlayout 10 by the reference numeral 26.

TABLE 1 Pair Bet Bonus Partial Hand Rank Award Pair of Aces 40 to 1 Pairof Kings 30 to 1 Pair of Jacks or Queens 20 to 1 Pair of 8's, 9's or10's 11 to 1 Pair of 7's or less  9 to 1

As shown above, if the partial hand rank is a pair of any kind, a playerplacing the side wager will win an award. In this embodiment, the awardis determined by multiplying the side wager according to Table 1 basedon the actual pair. For example, a partial hand consisting of a pair of8's will pay 11 times the side wager. It should be readily apparent thatthe preset criteria may include awards for other hands, such as a twocard flush or straight. Furthermore, other award multiples may beemployed depending on the desired return to the casino, among otherthings. In other embodiments, the preset criteria may include otherpossible hand ranks depending on the amount of cards dealt to eachplayer to form their respective partial hand.

In this embodiment, one of the community cards is either dealt face upor turned over in community card area 14 while the other community cardsare dealt face down in area 14 or otherwise remain unknown to theplayers during this first game event. Thus, a game event occurs in whichthe player must either place a second wager in second wager area 20 tocontinue or fold, that is, forfeit the game and lose the ante placed inante wager area 18. In this embodiment, the secondary game is determinedindependently of the outcome of the base game. Thus, a player may win anaward on the side wager but forfeit the ante wager by not placing asecond wager in area 20.

If a player places the second wager in area 20, a second community cardis revealed in community card area 14 and players have an opportunity toplace a third or “raise” wager in wager area 22 at a second game event.After the second game event, the remaining two community cards arerevealed in area 14. A final hand consisting of the four community cardsand each remaining player's partial two card hand is used to determinethe outcome of the game. In this embodiment, the outcome is determinedby comparing the highest five card poker rank achievable from the sixcards in each player's final hand with preset criteria havingcorresponding multiples based on the total amount wagered.

An exemplary paytable is shown below in Table 2 and illustrated inlayout 10 by reference numeral 28.

TABLE 2 Game Outcome Final Hand Rank Award Royal Flush 200 to 1 Straight Flush 50 to 1  Four of a kind 15 to 1  Full House 6 to 1 Flush5 to 1 Straight 4 to 1 Three of a kind 2 to 1 Two Pair 1 to 1 Pair ofJacks or Better 1 to 1

As shown above, if the final hand rank is of a value less than a pair ofJacks, then the player does not win an award. If the final hand rank isof a value greater than a pair of Jacks according to standard pokerrules, then the player will win an award. In this embodiment, the awardis determined by multiplying the side wager according to Table 2 basedon the actual final hand rank achieved. For example, a final handconsisting of a straight will entitle the player to be paid four timesthe amount of their cumulative wagers, that is, four times the sum ofthe ante and the second wager plus the third wager, if any. It should bereadily apparent that the preset criteria may include awards for otherhands and other award multiples may be employed depending on the desiredreturn to the casino, among other things.

It should be understood that a game according to the present inventionmay be incorporated in a fully or partially automated or interactive,computerized platform supporting multiple player positions. It should bereadily apparent that additional computerized or manual systems may beemployed in accordance with the present invention in order to achieveits full implementation.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the methoddescribed above may be incorporated in an electronic gaming machine orsystem in accordance with the invention. Such system or machine mayinclude various computer and network related software and hardware, suchas programs, operating systems, memory storage devices, input/outputdevices for data or monetary transfers, display devices, processors,servers with links to data communication systems, wireless or otherwise,and data transceiving terminals. Those skilled in the art will furtherappreciate that the precise types of software and hardware used are notvital to the full implementation of the present invention so long asplayers and operators of the present invention are provided with usefulaccess thereto as described in exemplary embodiments herein.

While exemplary methods and applications of the methods of the presentdisclosure, have been described herein, it should also be understoodthat the foregoing is only illustrative of exemplary embodiments, aswell as principles of the invention, and that various modifications canbe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention. Therefore, the described embodiments should notbe considered as limiting of the invention in any way. Accordingly, theinvention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fallwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described and claimed.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method of playing a wagering game at a gamingtable comprising the steps of: providing a set of physical playingcards; receiving an ante wager from a participating player; delivering apartial hand of playing cards from the set of physical playing cards tothe participating player; providing a community group of playing cardsof unknown value from the set of physical playing cards; conducting oneor more game events so long as there is at least one playing card ofunknown value remaining among the community group of playing cards,including a first game event and a second game event, the first gameevent comprising revealing the value of at least one playing card in thecommunity group to the participating player and receiving a mandatorygame event wager from the participating player thereafter, wherein theante wager is forfeited if the mandatory game event wager is notreceived, and the second game event comprising revealing the value of atleast one other playing card in the community group to the participatingplayer and receiving an optional game event wager, wherein the antewager is not forfeited if the optional wager is not received; revealingthe value of the at least one remaining unknown playing card among thecommunity group; determining a final hand rank for the participatingplayer, wherein the final hand rank is based on the cards in theparticipating player's partial hand and the community group of playingcards; comparing the final hand rank with a preset criteria, wherein thepreset criteria sets forth guidelines for award payouts based on finalhand ranks; and settling the one or more wagers received from theparticipating player by paying a game award payout to the player if oneof the preset criteria are satisfied, wherein the game award payout isat least partially based on the total amount wagered, and wherein thetotal amount wagered is the ante wager plus the sum of all the gameevent wagers received during the one or more game events.
 22. A methodaccording to claim 21, wherein a preset amount of game events areconducted.
 23. A method according to claim 21, wherein each game eventcomprises revealing the value of a random amount of playing cards in thecommunity group to the participating player and receiving a wager fromthe participating player thereafter.
 24. A method according to claim 21,wherein the combined amount of cards revealed during the game events,cards in the partial hand and cards remaining unknown is at least onecard greater than necessary to determine the rank of the final hand. 25.A method according to claim 21, wherein the amount of cards revealedduring the game events and the amount of cards in the partial hand areat least one card less than necessary to determine the rank of the finalhand.
 26. A method according to claim 21, wherein the ante wager and atleast one game event wager are mandatory wagers.
 27. A method accordingto claim 21, wherein the preset criteria and corresponding game awardscomprise a paytable listing achievable hand ranks and correspondingnumerical multiplier of the total amount wagered.
 28. A method accordingto claim 21, wherein the ranking is based on five card poker ranks. 29.A method according to claim 21, further comprising a secondary gameincluding the steps of: receiving a secondary game wager prior todelivering the partial game hand to the participating player;determining a partial hand rank for the participating player, whereinthe partial hand rank is based on the cards in the participatingplayer's partial hand; comparing the partial hand rank with a secondarygame preset criteria, wherein the secondary game preset criteria setsforth guidelines for award payouts based on partial hand ranks; andpaying a secondary game award payout to the participating player if oneof the secondary game preset criteria are satisfied, wherein thesecondary game award payout is at least partially based on the secondarygame wager amount.
 30. A method of playing a wagering game at a gamingtable comprising the steps of: providing a set of randomly-orderedphysical playing cards; receiving an ante wager in physical form from aparticipating player; distributing a partial hand of playing cards tothe participating player from the set of physical playing cards;distributing a community group of playing cards from the set of physicalplaying cards so that each value of the community group of playing cardsremain unknown; conducting one or more game events at the gaming tableuntil there are at least four cards of known value to the participatingplayer including the player's partial hand, including a first game eventand a second game event, the first game event comprising revealing thevalue of at least one playing card in the community group to theparticipating player and receiving a mandatory game event wager from theparticipating player thereafter, wherein the ante wager is forfeited ifthe mandatory game event wager is not received, and the second gameevent comprising revealing the value of at least one other playing cardin the community group to the participating player and receiving anoptional game event wager, wherein the ante wager is not forfeited ifthe optional wager is not received; revealing the value of the remainingunknown playing cards among the community group; determining a finalhand rank for the participating player, wherein the final hand rank isbased on the cards in the participating player's partial hand and thecommunity group of playing cards; comparing the final hand rank with apreset criteria, wherein the preset criteria sets forth guidelines foraward payouts based on final hand ranks; and settling the one or morewagers received from the participating player by paying a game awardpayout to the player if one of the preset criteria are satisfied,wherein the game award payout is at least partially based on the totalamount wagered, and wherein the total amount wagered is the ante wagerplus the sum of all the game event wagers received during the one ormore game events.
 31. A method according to claim 30, wherein thepartial hand comprises two cards.
 32. A method according to claim 30,wherein the community group of cards comprises four cards.
 33. A methodaccording to claim 30, further comprising the steps of: receiving asecondary game wager prior to delivering the partial game hand to theparticipating player; determining a partial hand rank for theparticipating player, wherein the partial hand rank is based on thecards in the participating player's partial hand; comparing the partialhand rank with a secondary game preset criteria, wherein the secondarygame preset criteria sets forth guidelines for award payouts based onpartial hand ranks; and paying a secondary game award payout to theparticipating player if one of the secondary game preset criteria aresatisfied, wherein the secondary game award payout is at least partiallybased on the secondary game wager amount.
 34. A method according toclaim 30, wherein the ante wager and at least one game event wager aremandatory wagers.
 35. A method of playing a wagering game at a gamingtable comprising the steps of: providing one or more decks ofrandomly-ordered physical playing cards; receiving an ante wager from aparticipating player at the gaming table; distributing a partial hand ofplaying cards to the participating player from the set of physicalplaying cards; providing a community group of face down playing cardsfrom the set of physical playing cards; conducting one or more gameevents at the gaming table until there are at least four cards of knownvalue to the participating player including the player's partial hand,including a first game event and a second game event, the first gameevent comprising revealing the value of at least one playing card in thecommunity group to the participating player by physically turning thecard over and receiving a mandatory game event wager from theparticipating player thereafter, wherein the ante wager is forfeited ifthe mandatory game event wager is not received, and the second gameevent comprising revealing the value of at least one other playing cardin the community group to the participating player by physically turningthe card over and receiving an optional game event wager, wherein theante wager is not forfeited if the optional wager is not received;revealing the value of the remaining unknown playing cards among thecommunity group by physically turning the remaining unknown playingcards over; determining a final hand rank for the participating player,wherein the final hand rank is based on the cards in the participatingplayer's partial hand and the community group of playing cards;comparing the final hand rank with a preset criteria, wherein the presetcriteria sets forth guidelines for award payouts based on final handranks; and settling the one or more wagers received from theparticipating player by paying a game award payout in physical form tothe player if one of the preset criteria are satisfied, wherein the gameaward payout is at least partially based on the total amount wagered,and wherein the total amount wagered is the ante wager plus the sum ofall the game event wagers received during the one or more game events.36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the partial hand comprisestwo cards.
 37. A method according to claim 35, wherein the communitygroup of cards comprises four cards.
 38. A method according to claim 35,further comprising the steps of: receiving a secondary game wager priorto delivering the partial game hand to the participating player;determining a partial hand rank for the participating player, whereinthe partial hand rank is based on the cards in the participatingplayer's partial hand; comparing the partial hand rank with a secondarygame preset criteria, wherein the secondary game preset criteria setsforth guidelines for award payouts based on partial hand ranks; andpaying a secondary game award payout to the participating player if oneof the secondary game preset criteria are satisfied, wherein thesecondary game award payout is at least partially based on the secondarygame wager amount.
 39. A method according to claim 35, wherein the antewager and at least one game event wager are mandatory wagers.